Sand Paper Gingerbread Kids

This idea was given to me by Karen Marolt and I love it! Children trace and cut gingerbread boys or girls out of sand paper.

They paint or glue on features, then they rub a cinnamon stick against the sandpaper! They smell great!

I displayed them on a mini Christmas tree for a fun, good smelling decoration!

Twister words

I love to recycle! Especially when it gives me a new way to help my students learn. This game was super easy! I took an abandoned twister game and wrote a different sight word on each circle. I added an interesting, quiet and easy to toss ball (and one that won't roll all over the place). The object is for the student to toss the ball to a word and read the word. I store this game in a tub with a white board and marker so that the student can also write the word. Excellent practice!

Counting Backpack

This is the counting backpack. I used old floppy disk cases, stickers and bingo covers to create the counting boxes. I made boxes for 0-20. I also added some number cards for extra reference.
For the complete instruction in English and Spanish go to:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0ATlkCqJBnpDrZGY1dG43NmJfMTJjcWR3c2Zkcw&hl=en

Sequencing events

I ordered these sequence puzzles through Scholastic book orders. They are self correcting sequencing cards. I added them to the work work station, after a whole group demonstration. This has been a great introduction to beginning, middle, end.

November Quilt

This is the November art quilt. I alternated hand print turkeys with tube turkeys. Directions for the tube turkeys can be found under the celebrations section.

October Quilt

The September quilt alternates an autumn reflection art project with the gray squirrel project.To make the autumn reflection you need white construction paper, paint and brushes.
First help the students fold their paper in half. They will use the fold several times to make this project. Next each student paints a blue line along the top of the fold, then folds the paper to print the blue line on the other half. This is the lake. Next the each student paints 3 trees with branches on top the the lake and then folds the paper in half again. Last each student paints the colorful leaves on the tree tops, then folds the paper. When the paper is opened the picture is completed! This is a great introduction to symmetry.
Complete directions for the gray squirrel project and the corresponding song can be found under "reading ideas". I used cardboard tubes for painted gray for the bodies of these squirrels.

The Bakery

During November the dramatic play center turns into a bakery where students can create different foods out of play dough.Aprons and chef hats help students dress the part.

I added different kinds of utensils, pots, pans and shakers.